The nine-member, four-alternatives group arrived by charter Wednesday afternoon at Wheeler Downtown Airport in Kansas City. The members were accompanied by GOP officials, swelling the official party to around 30 people, according to a party spokesman.

RNC chairman Reince Priebus is expected later today.

The group shook hands with Mayor Sly James and several members of the convention task force as members strolled down a red carpet. They were also greeted by former TWA flight attendants, dressed in 1970s-era garb, as the old TWA Constellation aircraft was parked nearby.

The goal: remind the RNC of 1976, when Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford battled for the nomination here.

The group walked over to meet with a band that played as the committee arrived. Several members clapped and danced to the tunes. Committee chairwoman Enid Mickelsen danced with James.

A party spokesman says the group — which visited Cleveland on Monday and Tuesday — will have afternoon downtime, then eat dinner together with convention officials. The group is staying at the Westin Crown Center hotel.

The biggest part of the visit comes Thursday, when committee members are expected to review the Sprint Center and other convention venues. The visit will culminate in a dinner Thursday evening at the Performing Arts Center.